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LICA Joins Belmont Jobs Rally

LICA’s Marc Herbst joined Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO President John Durso and Senator Jack Martins (R-Mineola) as they addressed nearly 200 union workers, politicians and civic leaders at a rally on Oct. 29th at the site of the proposed development at Belmont Park. The project - which would come at no additional cost to taxpayers since it is fully self-funded – is for development of a 28 acre parcel that currently serves as an additional parking for Belmont Race Track. The rally was a cry for Albany to take action on stalled redevelopment proposals for this area – which were submitted to Albany’s Empire State Development (ESD) Corp. back in 2013. The proposals include a 25,000 seat stadium for the New York Cosmos soccer team, as well as a hotel, restaurants, community center and retail park. The project, estimated at nearly $400 million would bring a huge economic boost to the area, as well as create thousands of related construction jobs for Long Islanders, as stated by Durso in a recent Newsday interview. Supporters, such as LICA are “…frustrated by the inaction of the ESD and similar delays by Albany on other infrastructure projects like this, which are needed on our Island” said LICA Executive Director Marc Herbst. And the fear that delays such as this may result in the loss of opportunities for our area, are not unfounded. Erik Stover, CEO of the Cosmos, said that his organization will consider alternative locations throughout the region if a state does not make a decision by year’s end.